Most Popular Books by Katherine Paterson

From her childhood in China to the moment she won her first National Book Award, literary icon Katherine Paterson shares the personal stories that inspired her children''s books. Told with her trademark humor and heart, Paterson''s tales reveal details about her life from her childhood with missionary parents, to living as a single woman in Japan, to raising four children in suburban Maryland with her minister husband. Read about the origins of such familiar characters as Leslie Burke and Janice Avery from Bridge to Terabithia, and go behind the scenes to the moments Katherine found out she won her many awards. Filled with personal photos and letters, this funny, heartwarming history from a legendary writer lets fans in on the making of literary classics.

Angel''s dad is in jail and her mum''s abandoned her and her little brother at their great-grandmother''s crumbling farmhouse. Grandma can''t even look after herself, let alone two children, so Angel finds that it''s left up to her. In a dreary and lonely world there is only one bright spot - amysterious stranger who appears on clear nights to teach Angel all about the stars.* Katherine Paterson is an internationally acclaimed author who has won the Newbery Medal (twice), the National Book Award for Children''s Literature (USA) twice, and the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award

Sing out, my soul, the wonder . . . Mary''s baby has arrived, and she can’t contain her joy! As Joseph sleeps, she examines her newborn’s tiny mouth, his wild hair, his little hands. Yet what’s most wondrous is that this child is not just Mary’s own but a gift that God has shared with everyone. Poetic text by Newbery Medalist Katherine Paterson and striking images by Lisa Aisato reveal the intimacy of that unforgettable night long ago, when the mother of Jesus was the first to welcome him into a world he would change forever. The Night of His Birth is a Junior Library Guild Selection. 2020 Moonbeam Children''s Book Award Winner - Gold Medalist, Holiday Category

It was Leslie who invented Terabithia - the secret country on an island in the dry creek. Here Jess could be strong, unafraid and unbeatable. So when something terrible happens, Jess finds he can face grief and disaster better than he could ever have imagined. Now a major motion picture.

From two-time Newbery award-winning author Katherine Paterson. When Lyddie and her younger brother are hired out as servants to help pay off their family farm''s debts, Lyddie is determined to find a way to reunite her family once again. Hearing about all the money a girl can make working in the textile mills in Lowell, Massachusetts, she makes her way there, only to find that her dreams of returning home may never come true. Includes an all-new common core aligned educator''s guide. "Rich in historical detail...a superb story of grit, determination, and personal growth." —The Horn Book, starred review "Lyddie is full of life, full of lives, full of reality." —The New York Times Book Review An ALA Notable Book An ALA Best Book for Young Adults A Booklist Editor''s Choice American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists" School Library Journal Best Book Parents magazine Best Book

An abandoned boy turns to his only friend to help him make sense of his past, after a menacing stranger comes to town claiming to have been sent by his father.

Katherine Paterson''s remarkable Newbery Medal-winning classic about a painful sibling rivalry, and one sister’s struggle to make her own way, is an honest and daring portrayal of adolescence and coming of age. A strong choice for independent reading, both for summer reading and homeschooling, as well as in the classroom, Jacob Have I Loved has been lauded as a cornerstone young adult novel and was ranked among the all-time best children''s novels in a survey published by School Library Journal. "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated . . ." With her grandmother''s taunt, Louise knew that she, like the biblical Esau, was the despised elder twin. Caroline, her selfish younger sister, was the one everyone loved. Growing up on a tiny Chesapeake Bay island, angry Louise reveals how Caroline has robbed her of everything: her hopes for schooling, her friends, her mother, even her name. While everyone pampers Caroline, Wheeze (her sister''s name for her) begins to learn the ways of the watermen and the secrets of the island, especially of old Captain Wallace, who has mysteriously returned after fifty years. The war unexpectedly gives this independent girl a chance to fulfill her dream to work on the water alongside her father. But the dream does not satisfy the woman she is becoming. Alone and unsure, Louise begins to fight her way to a place for herself outside her sister''s shadow. But in order to do that, she must first figure out who she is...

Now a major motion picture, discover the beloved Newbery Medal-winning story of Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke. Join Jess and Leslie as they form an unlikely friendship and create the imaginary land of Terabithia. There they rule as king and queen, until a terrible tragedy occurs that helps Jess understand just how much he has learned from Leslie.

It is the year 1899 and a new century is fast approaching. Robbie Hewitt intends to get in as much living as possible between now and the new year, but his antics eventually entangle him in a dangerous scheme--one that holds the life of a man in balance.

A new hardcover edition of Katherine Paterson’s Newbery-winning favorite, Bridge to Terabithia. One of the stunning new Harper Classics editions of literary treasures. This Newbery Medal-winning novel by bestselling author Katherine Paterson has been a modern classic about friendship and loss for forty years. Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie’s house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia. One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief. In addition to being a Newbery Medal winner, Bridge to Terabithia was also named an ALA Notable Children''s Book and has become a touchstone of children''s literature, as have many of Katherine Paterson''s other novels, including The Great Gilly Hopkins and Jacob Have I Loved.

In this amusing, eloquently told story, created by Paterson specifically for Russian artist Vladimir Vagin to illustrate with his beautifully detailed watercolors. After the death of her self-absorbed parents, a clever princess shows the peasants in her country how to make better lives for themselves.

Who is the man called Sabura, the mysterious bandit who robs the rich and helps the poor? And what is his connection with Yosida, the harsh and ill- tempered master of feudal Japan''s most famous puppet theater? Young Jiro, an apprentice to Yosida, is determined to find out, even at risk to his own life. Meamwhile, Jiro devotes himself to learning puppetry. Kinshi, the puppet master''s son, tutors him. When his sheltered life at the theater is shattered by mobs of hungry, rioting peasants, Jiro becomes aware of responsibilities greater that his craft. As he schemes to help his friend Kinshi and to find his own parent, Jiro stumbles onto a dangerous and powerful secret....

Muna has never known his father -- a samurai, a noble warrior. But Muna''s mother has told Muna how he will know him one day: by the sign of the chrysanthemum. When his mother dies, Muna travels to the capital of twelfth-century Japan, a bewildering city on the verge of revolution. He finds a haven there, as servant to the great swordsmith, Fukuji. But Muna cannot forget his dream: He must find his father. Only then will he have power and a name to be reckoned with. Only then will he become a man.

A large-print version of the award-winning story of an eleven-year-old foster child who tries to cope with her longings and fears as she schemes against everyone who tries to be friendly.

In a poignant and unflinching new realistic novel from the Newbery Medal–winning author of Bridge to Terabithia, a ten-year-old girl makes a deal with God for her father''s safe return from the Iraq War. Birdie has questions for God. For starters, why couldn’t God roll history back to September 10, 2001, and fix things—so the next day was an ordinary sunny day and not the devastating lead-in to two wars? Daddy has already been to Iraq twice. Now he’s going again, and Birdie is sure he’ll die. At the very least, she won’t see him again for a year, and everything will not be OK. (Why do grown-ups lie?) To save money, she, Mom, and baby Billy have moved to Gran’s, where shy Birdie must attend a new school, and no one but bossy Alicia Marie Suggs welcomes her. Doesn’t God remember how hard it was for Birdie to make friends at Bible Camp? Counselor Ron taught about Judgment there—and the right way to believe. Has Birdie been praying wrong? Why else would God break their bargain? Readers of all faiths and backgrounds, especially children of military families, will identify with and root for the unforgettable Birdie, given inimitable voice by a master storyteller.

This leader''s guide for Katherine Paterson''s Who Am I? highlights a wealth of discussion material that can be shaped to fit a host of educational settings--from semester-long studies in church classes and Christian schools to weekend retreats and youth group meetings.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is publishing a monthly series of e-only essays to correspond with Katherine Paterson’s two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The subjects of the essays include: writing and literature for young people, the wonder and imagination found within great books, common questions novice writers ask, and Katherine’s own personal experiences throughout her historic career.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is publishing a monthly series of e-only essays to correspond with Katherine Paterson’s two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The subjects of the essays include: writing and literature for young people, the wonder and imagination found within great books, common questions novice writers ask, and Katherine’s own personal experiences throughout her historic career.

Christmas is coming... ... and Marvin is worried. His big sister, May, always makes great presents for their parents, and Marvin''s are never as good. But this year, he is determined to make the best Christmas present ever -- one that will last forever.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is publishing a monthly series of e-only essays to correspond with Katherine Paterson’s two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The subjects of the essays include: writing and literature for young people, the wonder and imagination found within great books, common questions novice writers ask, and Katherine’s own personal experiences throughout her historic career.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is publishing a monthly series of e-only essays to correspond with Katherine Paterson’s two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The subjects of the essays include: writing and literature for young people, the wonder and imagination found within great books, common questions novice writers ask, and Katherine’s own personal experiences throughout her historic career.

Eleven-year-old Park makes some startling discoveries when he travels to his grandfather''s farm in Virginia to learn about his father who died in the Vietnam War.

The vain young daughter of a samurai finds her comfortable life ripped apart when opposing warrior clans begin a struggle for imperial control of Japan.

Mei Lin, a woman warrior, and pigboy Wang Lee find love, intrigue, adventure, and danger as rebels seeking to overthrow the Chinese emperor during the 1850s amid the Taiping Rebellion.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is publishing a monthly series of e-only essays to correspond with Katherine Paterson’s two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The subjects of the essays include: writing and literature for young people, the wonder and imagination found within great books, common questions novice writers ask, and Katherine’s own personal experiences throughout her historic career.

A Stubborn Sweetness and Other Stories for the Christmas Season is a collection of modern-day short stories by Katherine Paterson, award-winning author of Bridge to Terabithia and The Great Gilly Hopkinsboth loved by children and adults for over twenty years. This compilation includes stories of real-life people such as a shopping mall''s night watchman, a lonely widower, a pregnant teenage runaway, a political prisoner in China, a grieving mother, and a privileged American, who have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas because of loss, pain, greed, or circumstances. Through unexpected and uplifting ways, each is reminded of the first Christmas story and the vision of hope and peace it offers the world. They realize that even in the darkness, the light and song of Christmas can be seen and heard. This heart-warming gift book, filled with stories of realistic people finding hope, courage, and faith amidst life''s circumstances, radiates the spirit of the season and reminds each of us what Christmas truly means. Originally written to be read during her church''s Christmas Eve service, this collection of holiday stories is perfect for individuals, families, and churches to read and share during the season.

A pair of mandarin ducks, separated by a cruel lord who wishes to possess the drake for his colorful beauty, reward a compassionate couple who risk their lives to reunite the ducks.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is publishing a monthly series of e-only essays to correspond with Katherine Paterson’s two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The subjects of the essays include: writing and literature for young people, the wonder and imagination found within great books, common questions novice writers ask, and Katherine’s own personal experiences throughout her historic career.

2013 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award Meli Lleshi is positive that her drawing of her teacher with his pelican nose started it all. The Lleshis are Albanians living in Kosovo, a country trying to fight off Serbian oppressors, and suddenly they are homeless refugees. Old and young alike, they find their courage tested by hunger, illness, the long, arduous journey, and danger on every side. Then, unexpectedly, they are brought to America by a church group and begin a new life in a small Vermont town. The events of 9/11 bring more challenges for this Muslim family--but this country is their home now and there can be no turning back.A compassionate, powerful novel by a master storyteller.

In an engrossing historical novel, the Newbery Medal-winning author of Bridge to Terebithia follows a young Cuban teenager as she volunteers for Fidel Castro’s national literacy campaign and travels into the impoverished countryside to teach others how to read. When thirteen-year-old Lora tells her parents that she wants to join Premier Castro’s army of young literacy teachers, her mother screeches to high heaven, and her father roars like a lion. Nora has barely been outside of Havana — why would she throw away her life in a remote shack with no electricity, sleeping on a hammock in somebody’s kitchen? But Nora is stubborn: didn’t her parents teach her to share what she has with someone in need? Surprisingly, Nora’s abuela takes her side, even as she makes Nora promise to come home if things get too hard. But how will Nora know for sure when that time has come? Shining light on a little-known moment in history, Katherine Paterson traces a young teen’s coming-of-age journey from a sheltered life to a singular mission: teaching fellow Cubans of all ages to read and write, while helping with the work of their daily lives and sharing the dangers posed by counterrevolutionaries hiding in the hills nearby. Inspired by true accounts, the novel includes an author’s note and a timeline of Cuban history.

Moving is not easy. Rosie is the meanest cow in the world -- and Marvin''s best friend. When his family moves to a new farm, Marvin is sad and lonely . . . until he finds Rosie again. But now she''s making a lot of trouble for everyone. Will she and Marvin ever adjust to the changes of a new life in a new place?

The story of twin sisters who live on an island in the Chesapeake Bay.